Department of Homeland Security will allow Iran to travel to US early for World Cup match

The Department of Homeland Security has eased travel restrictions for Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to enter the United States two days before its June 26 match against Egypt in Seattle.

The team still must leave the country the same day the match ends, according to reporting from AP, Axios and The Guardian.

The change marks a retreat from an earlier rule that had limited the Iranian delegation to entering the United States only 24 hours before its first two matches. The more flexible window gives the team additional time to prepare for the Seattle game after logistical complaints from Iran’s delegation.

What changed

AP reported that the team is based in Tijuana, Mexico, and has been crossing into the United States for matches under the tighter rule. The revised policy lets Iran arrive two days early for the Egypt match, rather than only the day before.

Axios reported that the same-day departure requirement remains in place, meaning the team must leave the United States after the match finishes.

Why it matters

The timing matters for match preparation and recovery. Iran’s players will have a longer window to train, recover and adjust before facing Egypt, rather than arriving on a compressed schedule.

The reported change also raises the question of how strictly the United States will apply entry rules to Iranian athletes if the team advances further in the tournament.

Reaction and next steps

The Guardian reported that Iran planned to complain to FIFA about the original restrictions. AP said White House FIFA task force executive director Andrew Giuliani indicated the administration would reassess after the team’s first two travel movements before deciding whether to extend the extra day to later matches.

That means the new policy may not be permanent. For now, it applies to the next trip into the United States for the Egypt match in Seattle.

Officials have not said whether FIFA or the Iran federation has issued a formal public response to the revised entry window.

Background

Iran’s World Cup participation has already been shaped by U.S. travel restrictions. The team has been training in Mexico and entering the United States only for matches under the earlier rule.

The reported policy shift comes amid broader U.S.-Iran tensions, but the immediate issue is practical: how to handle travel for a national team competing on American soil during the tournament.